ABSTRACT Despite good hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibition by nucleoside analogs (NAs), cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still occur. This study proposed a non-invasive predictive model to assess HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving NAs treatment. Data were obtained from a hospital-based retrospective cohort registered on the Platform of Medical Data Science Academy of Chongqing Medical University, from 2013 to 2019. A total of 501 patients under NAs treatment had their FIB-4 index updated semiannually by recalculation based on laboratory values. Patients were divided into three groups based on FIB-4 index values: < 1.45, 1.45–3.25, and ≥ 3.25. Subsequently, HCC incidence was reassessed every six months using Kaplan-Meier curves based on the updated FIB-4 index. The median follow-up time of CHB patients after receiving NAs treatment was 2.5 years. HCC incidences with FIB-4 index < 1.45, 1.45–3.25, and ≥ 3.25 were 1.18%, 1.32%, and 9.09%, respectively. Dynamic assessment showed that the percentage of patients with FIB-4 index < 1.45 significantly increased semiannually (P < 0.001), and of patients with FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25 significantly decreased (P < 0.001). HCC incidence was the highest among patients with FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25. The FIB-4 index effectively predicted HCC incidence, and its dynamic assessment could be used for regular surveillance to implement early intervention and reduce HCC risk. HBV (HBV NAs, , (NAs) (HCC occur noninvasive non invasive (CHB hospitalbased hospital University 201 2019 50 FIB4 FIB 4 FIB- values 145 1 45 145325 3 25 1.45–3.25 325 Subsequently KaplanMeier Kaplan Meier followup follow up 2 5 2. years 3.2 118 18 1.18% 132 32 1.32% 909 9 09 9.09% respectively 1.4 P 0.001, 0001 0.001 0 001 0.001) 0.001. . (NAs 20 14 14532 1.45–3.2 3. 11 1.18 13 1.32 90 9.09 1. 000 0.00 00 1453 1.45–3. 1.1 1.3 9.0 0.0 1.45–3 9. 0. 1.45–

Abstract Syringa oblata is an important garden plant whose leaf colour turns from green to red in autumn when air temperature and daylength decrease. This study explored the reasons for leaf reddening by detecting phenotypic characteristics and pigment types and contents. With leaf reddening, luminance L* increased and chrominance a* decreased significantly. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents significantly decreased in accordance with the distribution change of green pigment in leaf cells. Conversely, the red pigment distribution increased and the total polyphenol, total flavonoid and total anthocyanin contents evidently increased. Anthocyanin accumulation was the important reason for leaf reddening. Of the anthocyanins detected in leaves, cyanidin and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside contents gradually increased with leaf reddening and were negatively correlated with L*. They were considered key anthocyanins influencing leaf colour. Apigenin and syringic acid were correlated with delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin, and they could be the anthocyanin co-pigments. Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside and taxifolin were more abundant polyphenols in leaves. In summary, anthocyanin accumulation and chlorophyll degradation occurred along with leaf reddening. Temperature, light, and other co-pigments influenced the anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents. This study provides evidence for applications of S. oblata as a coloured-leaf plant in gardens and as a source of active ingredients in the commercial market. decrease L cells Conversely polyphenol leaves delphinidin3Orutinoside delphinidinOrutinoside delphinidin 3 O rutinoside copigments. copigments co pigments. pigments Cyanidin3Oarabinoside CyanidinOarabinoside Cyanidin arabinoside summary Temperature light S colouredleaf coloured market Orutinoside Oarabinoside

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the sex-specific association between hyperuricemia and the risk of hypertension and whether obesity mediates this association. METHODS: This study included 31,395 (47.0% women) adults without hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline who completed at least one follow-up annual examination between 2009 and 2016. Cox regression models were performed to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Mediation analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of body mass index on the association between hyperuricemia and hypertension. RESULTS: During a median 2.9-year follow-up, hyperuricemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of hypertension (HR 1.15, 95%CI 1.07-1.24 for all participants; HR 1.12, 95%CI 1.03-1.22 for men; and HR 1.23, 95%CI 1.02-1.48 for women) after adjustment for potential confounders. Additional adjustment for body mass index attenuated this association (HR 1.09, 95%CI 1.08-1.10 for all participants; HR 1.07; 95%CI 0.98-1.16 for men; HR 1.18; 95%CI 0.96-1.44 for women). Mediation analysis showed that BMI partially mediated the relationship between hyperuricemia and incident hypertension (indirect effect HR 1.09, 95%CI 1.08-1.10; direct effect: HR 1.08, 95%CI 1.02-1.15). The percentage of the mediation effect was 53.2% (95%CI 37.9-84.5). CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is associated with a risk of hypertension in both sexes, and BMI partially mediates hyperuricemia-related incident hypertension. OBJECTIVE sexspecific sex specific METHODS 31395 31 395 31,39 47.0% 470 47 0 (47.0 women disease followup follow up 200 2016 95 intervals RESULTS 2.9year 29year year 2.9 2 9 followup, up, 115 1 15 1.15 95CI CI 1.071.24 107124 1.07 1.24 07 24 1.07-1.2 participants 112 12 1.12 1.031.22 103122 1.03 1.22 03 22 1.03-1.2 men 123 23 1.23 1.021.48 102148 1.02 1.48 02 48 1.02-1.4 confounders 109 09 1.09 1.081.10 108110 1.08 1.10 08 10 1.08-1.1 107 0.981.16 098116 0.98 1.16 98 16 0.98-1.1 1.18 118 18 0.961.44 096144 0.96 1.44 96 44 0.96-1.4 women. . indirect 108 1.021.15. 102115 1.02-1.15) 532 53 53.2 37.984.5. 379845 37.9 84.5 37 84 5 37.9-84.5) CONCLUSION sexes hyperuricemiarelated related 3139 3 39 31,3 47.0 4 (47. 20 201 9year 29 2. 11 1.1 071 1.071.2 10712 1.0 124 1.2 1.07-1. 031 1.031.2 10312 103 122 1.03-1. 021 1.021.4 10214 102 148 1.4 1.02-1. 081 1.081.1 10811 110 1.08-1. 981 0.981.1 09811 098 0.9 116 0.98-1. 961 0.961.4 09614 096 144 0.96-1. 1.021.15 10211 1.02-1.15 53. 984 37.984.5 37984 379 37. 845 84. 8 37.9-84.5 313 31, 47. (47 1. 1.071. 1071 1.07-1 1.031. 1031 1.03-1 1.021. 1021 14 1.02-1 1.081. 1081 1.08-1 0.981. 0981 0. 0.98-1 0.961. 0961 0.96-1 1.021.1 1.02-1.1 37.984. 3798 37.9-84. (4 1.071 1.07- 1.031 1.03- 1.021 1.02- 1.081 1.08- 0.981 0.98- 0.961 0.96- 37.984 37.9-84 ( 37.98 37.9-8 37.9-

RESUMEN Introducción La lesión de la articulación de la rodilla es una lesión deportiva común y acelerar el proceso de recuperación es una preocupación para todos los atletas. Objetivo Determinar si la enfermería de rehabilitación deportiva acuática puede acelerar el proceso de rehabilitación de las lesiones articulares de rodilla. Métodos Treinta pacientes con lesiones de ligamentos o meniscos de rodilla se dividieron en un grupo de deportes acuáticos y un grupo de control. El grupo de control asumió medidas generales de recuperación, mientras que al grupo de ejercicios acuáticos se le añadieron 8 semanas adicionales de enfermería de rehabilitación con ejercicios acuáticos. Se comparó la evolución del grado de dolor de la articulación de la rodilla, la amplitud de movimiento de la articulación de la rodilla, la fuerza muscular de la articulación de la rodilla y otros indicadores antes y después del experimento. Resultados Tras 8 semanas de intervención, el dolor y las actividades de la vida diaria en el grupo de ejercicio acuático mejoraron significativamente en comparación con los anteriores al experimento; el grado de recuperación de la lesión de la articulación de la rodilla en el grupo de ejercicio acuático fue significativamente mejor que el del grupo de control, y la amplitud de la flexión de la articulación de la rodilla, la fuerza muscular flexora y extensora y otros indicadores en el grupo de ejercicio acuático fueron significativamente mejores que los del grupo de control. Conclusión El ejercicio de rehabilitación acuática puede acelerar el proceso de recuperación de los pacientes con lesiones articulares de rodilla. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento. atletas experimento intervención II tratamiento

RESUMO Introdução A lesão articular do joelho é uma lesão esportiva corriqueira e a maneira de acelerar o processo de recuperação é uma preocupação para todos os atletas. Objetivo Determinar se a enfermagem de reabilitação esportiva aquática pode acelerar o processo de reabilitação das lesões nas articulações do joelho. Métodos Trinta pacientes com lesão ligamentar ou meniscal do joelho foram divididos em grupo de esportes aquáticos e grupo de controle. O grupo de controle assumiu medidas gerais de recuperação, enquanto ao grupo de exercícios aquáticos acrescentou-se mais 8 semanas de enfermagem de reabilitação com exercícios aquáticos. Comparou-se a evolução do grau de dor na articulação do joelho, a amplitude de movimento da articulação do joelho, a força muscular da articulação do joelho e outros indicadores antes e depois da experiência. Resultados Após 8 semanas de intervenção, a dor e as atividades das atividades de vida diária no grupo de exercícios aquáticos melhoraram significativamente em comparação com aquelas antes do experimento; o grau de recuperação da lesão da articulação do joelho no grupo de exercícios aquáticos foi significativamente melhor do que o do grupo controle, e a amplitude de flexão da articulação do joelho, a força muscular flexora e extensora e outros indicadores no grupo de exercícios aquáticos foram significativamente melhores do que os do grupo controle. Conclusão O exercício de reabilitação aquática pode acelerar o processo de recuperação de pacientes com lesões articulares no joelho. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento. atletas acrescentouse acrescentou Comparouse Comparou experiência intervenção experimento II tratamento

ABSTRACT Introduction Knee joint injury is a common sports injury and how to speed up the recovery process is a concern for all athletes. Objective Determine whether aquatic sports rehabilitation nursing can accelerate the rehabilitation process of knee joint injuries. Methods Thirty patients with knee ligament or meniscal injury were divided into an aquatic sports group and a control group. The control group assumed general recovery measures, while the aquatic exercise group was added another 8 weeks of rehabilitation nursing with aquatic exercises. The evolution of the degree of knee joint pain, knee joint range of motion, knee joint muscle strength and other indicators before and after the experiment were compared. Results After 8 weeks of intervention, pain and activities of daily living in the aquatic exercise group improved significantly compared with those before the experiment; the degree of recovery from knee joint injury in the aquatic exercise group was significantly better than that in the control group, and knee joint flexion range of motion, flexor and extensor muscle strength, and other indicators in the aquatic exercise group were significantly better than those in the control group. Conclusion Aquatic rehabilitation exercise can accelerate the recovery process of patients with knee joint injuries. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes. athletes injuries measures exercises motion intervention II outcomes

Abstract Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is the highest treatment goal recommended by the current guidelines for hepatitis B. Levels of antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) are strongly associated with HBsAg recurrence, but hepatitis B vaccination may increase the anti-HBs seroconversion rate and reduce recurrence. We conducted a retrospective clinical study to ascertain the effect of this vaccination on the seroconversion rate and levels of protective anti-HBs after HBsAg. In this retrospective study, we distributed a questionnaire through an online survey platform to collect information related to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with functional cure of hepatitis B with Interferon-α (IFNα) therapy. We enrolled 320 patients who achieved functional cure from IFNα therapy. Of these, 219 patients had received hepatitis B vaccination according to their personal preference and drug accessibility after HBsAg seroclearance, whereas the remaining 101 patients did not receive hepatitis B vaccination. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate of 78.1% in the vaccinated group was significantly greater than that in the unvaccinated group (41.6%) (p < 0.001). Stratified comparisons with anti-HBs of ≥ 100 IU/L and ≥ 300 IU/L showed that both proportions in the vaccinated group were greater than those in the unvaccinated group (71.2% vs. 32.7% and 56.2% vs. 17.8%, respectively, all p-values < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of vaccination was 4.427, which was the strongest influencing factor for anti-HBs, reaching 100 IU/L or higher. Hepatitis B vaccination in patients after HBsAg seroclearance not only increased the anti-HBs seroconversion rate but also significantly increased antibody levels, with good safety, indicating the clinical value of vaccine therapy for patients with functional cure. (HBsAg antiHBs anti HBs (anti-HBs recurrence Interferonα Interferon α (IFNα 32 these 21 10 781 78 1 78.1 41.6% 416 41 6 (41.6% p 0.001. 0001 0.001 . 0 001 0.001) IUL IU L 30 71.2% 712 71 2 (71.2 vs 327 7 32.7 562 56 56.2 178 17 8 17.8% respectively pvalues values 4427 4 427 4.427 antiHBs, HBs, higher safety 3 78. 41.6 (41.6 000 0.00 00 71.2 (71. 32. 5 56. 17.8 442 42 4.42 41. (41. 0.0 71. (71 17. 44 4.4 (41 0. (7 4. (4 (

Resumo Introdução: A proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade participa da patogênese da rinite alérgica. A ativação do inflamassoma pode mediar a liberação de proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade. O papel do inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2 na rinite alérgica permanece incerto. Objetivo: Investigar a função do inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2 em um modelo murino de rinite alérgica e a interação entre a proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade e o inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2. Método: Um modelo murino de rinite alérgica foi estabelecido com 20 camundongos Balb/c. A expressão dos componentes do inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2, da proteína speck-like associada à apoptose com CARD (Asc), da caspase-1 p20 e do domínio de pirina da família NLR adicional com 3 (Nlrp3) foi detectada por western blotting durante a rinite alérgica. Alterações de inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2, na caspase-1 e na proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade após o teste de provocação com ovalbumina foram demonstradas por imuno-histoquímica. O ensaio dUTP Nick-End Labeling mediado por TdT, TUNEL e clivagem de caspase-3 e PARP-1 foram usados para a observação de piroptose. Resultados: Eosinofilia e infiltração de células caliciformes foram observadas na mucosa nasal de camundongos do grupo rinite alérgica. Inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2, Asc e caspase-1 p20 aumentou após a exposição à ovalbumina, enquanto Nlrp3 não aumentou. A proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade foi liberada na mucosa nasal de camundongos com rinite alérgica. As células TUNEL-positivas aumentaram no epitélio e na lâmina própria, enquanto a clivagem da caspase-3 e a PARP-1 não foram observadas. Conclusão: O inflamassoma ausente no melanoma 2 foi ativado e pode ocorrer piroptose na mucosa nasal após o tratamento com ovalbumina. Esses fatores podem contribuir para a translocação de proteína do grupo Box-1 de alta mobilidade e o desenvolvimento de rinite alérgica.

Abstract Introduction: High mobility group box 1 protein participates in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Activation of the inflammasome can mediate the release of high mobility group box 1. The role of the absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome in allergic rhinitis remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the function of absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome in murine allergic rhinitis and the interaction between high mobility group box 1 and the absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome. Methods: A murine allergic rhinitis model was established using twenty Balb/c mice. Expression of the components of the absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome: absent in melanoma 2, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (Asc), caspase-1 p20, and additional nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3) were detected by western blotting during allergic rhinitis. Alterations of absent in melanoma 2, caspase-1, and high mobility group box 1 after ovalbumin challenge were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. TdT-mediated dUTP Nick end labeling, TUNEL assay, and cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP-1 were used for the observation of pyroptosis. Results: Eosinophilia and goblet cell infiltration were observed in the nasal mucosa of mice in the allergic rhinitis group. Absent in melanoma 2, Asc, and caspase-1 p20 increased after ovalbumin exposure while Nlrp3 did not. High mobility group box 1 was released in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis mice. TUNEL-positive cells increased in the epithelium and laminae propria, whereas cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP-1 was not observed. Conclusions: The absent in melanoma 2 inflammasome was activated and pyroptosis may occur in the nasal mucosa after ovalbumin treatment. These may contribute to the translocation of high mobility group box 1 and the development of allergic rhinitis.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of catalpa seed oil (CSO) and pomegranate seed oil (PSO) on body weight and intestinal flora in mice. The results showed that the addition of 10% w/t CSO or PSO had a more significant effect than control (soybean oil) on reducing the body mass index of mice, which was reduced by 24.94% ± 0.08% (p < 0.01) and 25.88% ± 0.11% (p < 0.01), respectively. Histological observations indicated that no significant changes in the development and structure of mouse intestinal tissue were detected as a result of CSO and PSO. Using bioinformatics technology, CSO and PSO were used to study the clustering of operational taxonomic units and the relative abundance of microorganisms in intestinal bacteria. The analysis found that both functional lipids could reduce the relative abundance of γ-Proteobacteria. It is suggested that CSO and PSO have a regulatory effect on the structure of intestinal microflora in mice. The development reported in this paper provided theoretical support for the functional research and in-depth development of CSO and PSO.

Abstract This article performed a model of osteoporosis rats using the method of ovariectomy and observed efficacy of Tianchang Capsule on treatment of osteoporosis rats. Comparing the effect with positive drug to explore the mechanism of Tianchang Capsule in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Female SD rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (10 in each group): control (sham-treated), OVX (by ovariectomy), OVX+AL (by ovariectomy, received alendronate sodium), OVX+LTC (by ovariectomy, received low dosage Tianchang Capsule), OVX+MTC (by ovariectomy, received middle dosage Tianchang Capsule), OVX+HTC (by ovariectomy, received high dosage Tianchang Capsule). After ovariectomy operation, alendronate or Tian Chang capsule were given for 12 weeks. Bone metabolism was measured by bone mineral density (BMD). With 12-week treatment, BMD reduced in OVX group, in bone formation and resorption parameters increased however, pathological sections indicated destruction of trabecular bone structure in the meanwhile (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In alendronate sodium and Tianchang Capsule treatments groups, comparing with control, both treatments significantly increased BMD level and improved the trabecular bone tissue damage, also inhibit excessive actively bone resorption and bone formation (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Tianchang Capsule were used as good natural drugs for the treatment of ovariectomy induced osteoporosis rats, by increasing bone mineral density, bone formation and bone resorption.

Abstract A summarized physicochemical profile of nine multifloral honeys produced by Apis cerana cerana Fabricius in Qiongzhong region located in Hainan province was exhibited, regarding pH (3.72-4.02), moisture (19.20-22.53%), fructose (34.40-38.70 g 100 g-1), glucose (31.60-35.05 g 100 g-1), sucrose (less than 3%), color (31.00-80.00 mm Pfund), ash content (0.17-0.45 g 100 g-1), soluble solid (75.87-79.10 ◦Brix), and electrical conductivity (343.67-678.33 μS cm-1). Potassium showed the highest concentration, followed by calcium. Manganese, boron, iron, aluminium, and zinc were the main micro-elements while cadmium and hydrargyrum were not detected in all honey samples. The antiradical activity was shown to be significantly negative correlated with total phenolic content (TPC) (r2 = −0.756) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (r2 = −0.477). Among all tested honey samples, sample A exhibited the highest levels of TPC (45.46 mg GAE 100 g-1), TFC (10.02 mg RE 100 g-1), and antiradical activity (DPPH IC50 = 2.63 mg mL-1). Our results will be useful in determining to set the standard for A. cerana cerana honey.

High proportions of placental lymphocytes expressing DX5+/CD25+/FOXP3+/CD45+/CD4+ are beneficial to maintain immune tolerance and improve pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the therapeutic effects of aspirin, vitamin D3 (VitD3), and progesterone on the autoimmune recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) model. The autoimmune RSA mouse model was constructed, and the embryo loss rate was calculated for each group. Then, primary mouse placental lymphocytes were isolated, and the expression of DX5+/CD25+/FOXP3+/CD45+/CD4+ was detected through flow cytometry. The serum levels of anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA), β2-GP1, CXCL6, IFN-γ, and IL-6 were measured by ELISA to evaluate the proportion of Th1 and Th2 cells. Autoimmune RSA significantly increased the embryo loss rate, which was improved by aspirin, VitD3, and progesterone treatment, and progesterone treatment had the best effect among the three treatments. The positive expression of DX5+/CD25+/FOXP3+/CD45+/CD4+ in the VitD3 and progesterone groups was significantly higher than that in the autoimmune RSA group, and the expression was highest in the progesterone treatment group. In the plasma of autoimmune RSA mice, the ACA, β2-GP1, CXCL6, and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher and the IL-6 level was lower than the levels in control mice. All these changes could be reversed by aspirin and progesterone treatment. In conclusion, aspirin, VitD3 and progesterone treatment improved pregnancy outcomes in autoimmune RSA mice by regulating the Th1/Th2 balance and cytokines, and progesterone had the best effect of the three treatments.

Abstract The functionalization of polysaccharides with synthetic nanopolymers has attracted great attention owing to the applications of this method in many industrial fields. This work aimed to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on the functionalization of dextran. Dextran-arsenite nanoparticle formation was induced by microwave with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Various analytical techniques were used to verify the structure of the nanopolymers. Besides, various reaction conditions, such as dextran concentration, arsenic trioxide concentration and pH, were investigated to determine their impact on particle size. The results indicated that the product was an arsenite-based nanomaterial retaining the basic configuration of dextran and that the product size was positively correlated with pH but negatively correlated with arsenic trioxide concentration. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of the dextran-arsenite nanoparticles on the growth of the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 and human hepatoma carcinoma cell lines Huh-7 and SMMC-7721 were studied. The results showed that the product could inhibit the proliferation of these three tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the product could be a new type of functional nanomaterial for further study on the synthesis, biological activity and development of polysaccharide drugs.

OBJECTIVES: Cystathionine β-synthase is a major enzyme in the metabolism of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is positively associated with hypertension and stroke. The present study was performed to examine the possible effects of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation on the development of hypertension and stroke. METHODS: Using quantitative methylation-specific PCR, we determined the Cystathionine β-synthase methylation levels in 218 healthy individuals and 132 and 243 age- and gender-matched stroke and hypertensive patients, respectively. The relative changes in Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation were analyzed using the 2–ΔΔCt method. The percent of the methylated reference of Cystathionine β-synthase was used to represent the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels. RESULTS: In this study, the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels of hypertensive and stroke participants were both higher than that of the healthy individuals (median percentages of the methylated reference were 50.61%, 38.05% and 30.53%, respectively, all p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increased the risk of hypertension [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)=1.035 (1.025–1.045)] and stroke [OR (95% CI)=1.015 (1.003–1.028)]. The area under the curve of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.796–0.892) in male patients with hypertension and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.653–0.799) in male patients with stroke. CONCLUSION: Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke, especially in male patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) in intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and its mechanism. The Case group consisted of 92 patients diagnosed with IUA, and the Control group included 86 patients with uterine septum who had normal endometrium verified with an uteroscope. In addition, 50 rats were randomly assigned into Control, Sham, Model, NC-siRNA, and KDR-siRNA groups. Rats in the Model, NC-siRNA, and KDR-siRNA groups were induced by uterine curettage and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment to establish the IUA model. Then, immunohistochemistry was applied for detection of VEGF and KDR expression, HE staining was used for observation of the endometrial morphology and gland counting, Masson staining for measurement of the degree of endometrial fibrosis, and qRT-PCR and western blot for the expression of KDR, VEGF, MMP-9, as well as TGF-β1/Smads pathway-related proteins. Compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein expressions of KDR were significantly higher in IUA endometrial tissues, and the expression of KDR was positively correlated to the severity of IUA. In addition, the injection of si-KDR increased the number of endometrial glands, reduced the area of fibrosis, inhibited mRNA and protein expression of KDR and VEGF, up-regulated the expression of MMP-9 and Smad7, and decreased the expression level of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, and Smad4 in rats with IUA. Highly-expressed KDR was related to patients' severity of IUA, and silencing KDR may prevent the occurrence and development of IUA via TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and up-regulating the expression of MMP-9.

Abstract X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) has been associated with various genes. Diagnosis of XLID, especially for non-syndromic ones (NS-XLID), is often hampered by the heterogeneity of this disease. Here we report the case of a Chinese family in which three males suffer from intellectual disability (ID). The three patients shared the same phenotype: no typical clinical manifestation other than IQ score ≤ 70. For a genetic diagnosis for this family we carried out whole exome sequencing on the proband, and validated 16 variants of interest in the genomic DNA of all the family members. A missense mutation (c.710G > T), which mapped to exon 6 of the Rab GDP-Dissociation Inhibitor 1 (GDI1) gene, was found segregating with the ID phenotype, and this mutation changes the 237th position in the guanosine diphosphate dissociation inhibitor (GDI) protein from glycine to valine (p. Gly237Val). Through molecular dynamics simulations we found that this substitution results in a conformational change of GDI, possibly affecting the Rab-binding capacity of this protein. In conclusion, our study identified a novel GDI1 mutation that is possibly NS-XLID causative, and showed that whole exome sequencing provides advantages for detecting novel ID-associated variants and can greatly facilitate the genetic diagnosis of the disease.